The W♀Manchester Statue Project is about celebrating the significant role that women have played in the city. Until the unveiling of the Emmeline Pankhurst statue 16 out of the 17 statues in the City Centre were of men. The exception was Queen Victoria. The unveiling of this new statue will help address this inequality.
The statue of Emmeline Pankhurst was unveiled in St Peter’s Square, Manchester on Friday, 14th December 2018 – one hundred years to the day from some women voting for the first time in a British General Election. Follow this link to read more:
From those twenty a shortlist was created and the public voted overwhelmingly for Emmeline Pankhurst.
A shortlisting competition for the sculptor saw 5,850 members of the public vote for their favourite design.
Hazel Reeves won the popular vote and was the unanimous choice of the selection panel with her ‘chair’ design: Rise Up Women.
Reeves – Pankhurst view 1 FINAL
The statue was paid for without a single penny coming from public funds in Manchester.
A limited edition of twelve 40 cm high versions of the bronze maquette were available for sale but have sold out.
Corporate sponsors of the project were Property Alliance Group, Manchester Airport Group and the Government Equalities Office Centenary Cities Fund.
Womanchester
-
1
Celebrate
Longlist of 20 inspirational Manchester women announced on 28th May 2015
-
2
Support
In June 2015, the fundraising began with a 1,059 mile sponsored bike ride. The ride was in twenty day long stages, each devoted to one of the women on the long list.
-
3
Support
The six strong shortlist of sculptors have presented their ideas and following a public vote Hazel Reeves has secured the commission to create the Emmeline Pankhurst statue.
-
4
Result
The statue was unveiled on Friday, 14th December 2018 – the 100th anniversary of some women voting for the first time in a British General Election.
